The new Doris Storey House in Seacroft, Leeds, offers 25 apartments and 8 family homes on Brooklands Avenue, celebrating local swimming hero Doris Storey with a vibrant mural by Alexandra Elstone and community involvement from Beechwood Primary School. This exciting development honors Doris Storey’s 1938 Empire Games gold medals and 1936 Olympic appearance, blending modern housing with inspiring local heritage and extensive community engagement.
What is the Doris Storey House housing development in Leeds and how does it celebrate local heritage?
Doris Storey House is a new affordable housing scheme in Seacroft, Leeds, offering 25 one-bedroom apartments and eight family homes. Named after local sports hero Doris Storey, the project blends urban renewal with community engagement and features a commemorative mural and educational outreach initiatives.
Revitalising Seacroft with Affordable Housing
Leeds City Council has unveiled a transformative new housing scheme in Seacroft, focusing on delivering high-quality, affordable homes to meet significant local demand. Situated on repurposed brownfield land at Brooklands Avenue, the development comprises 25 one-bedroom apartments and eight two- and three-bedroom houses. This initiative is part of the ongoing Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP), which has already seen the delivery of more than 350 new homes and the acquisition of over 450 properties since 2018. The new homes at Brooklands Avenue offer a vital boost for families and individuals seeking affordable rent opportunities in East Leeds.
The apartments are housed in a newly-named building, Doris Storey House, honouring an inspirational local sports figure. This thoughtful naming reflects efforts to ensure the scheme feels integrated within the broader Seacroft community. Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, remarked, “It’s important for a scheme such as this to look and feel like part of the wider community and – by honouring the exploits of Doris Storey, a genuine local hero – it is doing exactly that.” The project demonstrates a holistic approach, blending urban regeneration with respect for local heritage.
Financially, the majority of the project’s funding comes from Leeds City Council, supplemented by support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund. Wates Construction, the principal contractor, is scheduled to hand over the completed homes to the council, with new tenants expected to move in imminently. The development is expected to contribute significantly to alleviating housing pressures in the area, providing stable, long-term residency options for local people.
Celebrating Local Heritage: The Doris Storey Tribute
The Brooklands Avenue apartments have been named in honour of Doris Storey, a celebrated swimmer from East Leeds whose legacy continues to inspire. At just nineteen years old, Doris claimed two gold medals at the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney, following her representation of Great Britain at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. She balanced her athletic pursuits with her work as a machinist at the Burton’s factory on Hudson Road, often fitting in training sessions at the York Road baths. Her story embodies dedication, perseverance, and community spirit.
A key highlight of the recent unveiling event was the official presentation of a vibrant mural in the foyer of Doris Storey House. Created by artist Alexandra Elstone with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the mural features a stylised female swimmer in competitive motion. Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, commented, “It’s a stunning piece of work and a fine example of how modern-day Leeds can show its appreciation for the people from the past whose dedication and talent helped make our city great.”
Pupils from Beechwood Primary School in Seacroft played a crucial role in selecting the name for the building, exemplifying the scheme’s engagement with the community. The students conducted research on possible honourees, ultimately choosing to recognise Doris Storey’s achievements. This involvement ensures that the development not only provides housing but also strengthens local identity and celebrates stories that resonate with residents of all generations.
Community Engagement and Social Impact
Beyond bricks and mortar, the Brooklands Avenue project has implemented a comprehensive programme of community engagement, led by Wates Construction. Since work began in late 2023, more than 1,330 students from nearby schools have participated in educational activities, work experiences, site visits, and other initiatives. This outreach aims to foster interest in construction careers and provide hands-on learning opportunities, contributing to the professional growth of local young people.
The scheme also provided direct support to local organisations. Notably, the Seacroft Community On Top group received a £10,000 grant from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, enabling further development of local initiatives. In addition, the construction team volunteered over 110 hours at the Seacroft Forest Garden community green space, enhancing both the environment and strengthening ties with residents.
David Wingfield, managing director of Construction East at Wates, noted, “These are homes designed to last, to provide places where people can feel proud to live, build their futures and truly thrive.” The multi-faceted community engagement programme highlights the project’s commitment to creating lasting social value, extending benefits well beyond the provision of new homes.
Honouring Achievements with Civic Recognition
Doris Storey’s remarkable legacy is further celebrated through the Leeds Civic Trust’s blue plaque scheme, which recognises individuals and places that have shaped the city’s history. During the event at Brooklands Avenue, guests were given a preview of the new plaque dedicated to Doris Storey. Its permanent installation is planned for the former York Road baths in Richmond Hill, now operated as a gym by The Gym Group, where Doris trained alongside her work commitments. Martin Hamilton, director of Leeds Civic Trust, stated, “Our blue plaques scheme celebrates the people and places that have shaped Leeds, helping us remember their achievements and the city’s proud history.”
The blue plaque serves as a lasting public recognition of Doris’s story, blending sport, history, and community in a visible signpost for current and future generations. The forthcoming unveiling will further cement her role in Leeds’s cultural memory, offering inspiration and a tangible connection to the city’s sporting heritage.
This civic recognition is part of a broader effort in Leeds to celebrate community achievements and foster local pride. Similar blue plaques dot the city, highlighting figures from various fields who have contributed to Leeds’s development. For more on the blue plaques scheme, visit the Leeds Civic Trust website. The tribute to Doris Storey at both the new housing development and the historic baths exemplifies how urban regeneration projects can intertwine with cultural commemoration, enhancing the sense of place for everyone involved.
- Doris Storey House in Seacroft, Leeds, is a new affordable housing development offering 25 apartments and 8 family homes.
- The development is named after local swimmer Doris Storey, who won two gold medals at the 1938 Empire Games and competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
- A vibrant mural by artist Alexandra Elstone celebrating Doris Storey is featured in the foyer of the new building.
- Pupils from Beechwood Primary School played a crucial role in selecting Doris Storey as the namesake for the building.
- The project has engaged extensively with the community through educational activities, work experiences, and support for local organizations.